Page 9 of Promise You Forever
“What?” I look down and realize he saw my engagement ring. “Oh, yeah. I got engaged in July.”
“And you didn’t think to tell me?”
“I don’t know, I haven’t really told many people.” I frown at the ring, just now realizing it is kind of weird that I haven’t been shouting it from the rooftops. “Work has been busy for both of us.”
“Is this the same guy you started dating when you moved back to LA?”
“Yeah.”
“You shouldn’t marry your rebound.”
“Colt.” I rub my fingers over my brow in frustration. “He wasn’t a rebound. There was nothing for me to have a rebound from.”
“Bullshit. I was there.”
I sigh and start to leave the room.
“Listen, I’m not going to harp on this, but I think it’s weird that I’ve talked to you at least twice since you’ve been engaged, and you never once mentioned it. That says a lot.” He turns and leaves the kitchen with his coffee.
Instead of going off to find Amber, I walk upstairs and collapse into my bed. Charlie jumps up beside me, her furry, warm body giving me comfort as my mind reels. The fact of the matter is that Colt is right. He called me on my birthday, and we spoke over Labor Day weekend. When I think about it, the only people who do know about the engagement are Brandon and mymutual friends and my coworkers. I close my eyes and try to ignore the unsettling feeling that comes with that realization.
“Eli,” Amber’s voice rouses me from sleep. “Wake up.” She gently shakes my shoulder as Charlie jumps up and scampers out of the room.
“What time is it?” I blink a few times until my eyes come into focus in the dim light.
“Six.” She zips her suitcase up. “I’m going to head out with Colt.”
“Okay.” I stand up from the bed and wrap her in a hug. “Call me if you need anything.”
“That’s my line.”
“I’ll be fine.”
“You will, but if you’re not,” she trails off.
“Have you eaten?”
“No, but Colt said we’d stop and grab something on the way.”
“Sounds good. Sorry I slept the day away.”
“You needed it. I think Luke is downstairs making dinner.”
“Great,” I mumble, grabbing a hoodie to slip on. I consider just staying in my room, but my stomach grumbles. “This should be interesting.”
After I walk her out to Colt’s truck, I make my way to the kitchen. The scent of garlicky marinara sauce fills the air as I walk in to find him at the stove. His sleeves are pushed up over his forearms as he browns some ground beef and water boils in a pot beside him.
I glance over at Grandpa, who looks to be doing a crossword puzzle. “Hi, Gramps. How was your day?”
He looks over at me and smiles. Relief floods me when there’s recognition because how awful would it feel if he looked at me without knowing who I was? “It was good. Had to show Luke how to get the stable ready for the winter. He’s a good boy.”
My eyes meet Luke’s, and I see a passing flash of sadness in them. Regardless of my personal feelings about him, he loves my grandparents like his own. I am grateful for that.
“Do you need any help?” I ask.
“You can get the salad together.” He motions to the island with his head. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”